cas
“cas” means “cas (tropical fruit)” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
cas (tropical fruit)
Also: Costa Rican guava
📝 In Action
¿Has probado el fresco de cas? Es delicioso.
A1Have you tried cas juice? It's delicious.
El cas es una fruta muy ácida que se usa para hacer helados.
B1Cas is a very sour fruit that is used to make ice cream.
Compré unos cuantos cases en el mercado para hacer una mermelada.
B2I bought a few cas fruits at the market to make a jam.
house / place
📝 In Action
Mañana vamos a comer en cas de mi tía.
B2Tomorrow we are going to eat at my aunt's house.
Lo vi ayer en cas del médico.
C1I saw him yesterday at the doctor's place.
Se quedó a dormir en cas de unos amigos.
C1He stayed to sleep at some friends' house.
Vocabulary Collections
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cas
Question 1 of 3
If you are in Costa Rica and someone offers you a 'fresco de cas', what are you drinking?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The fruit name comes from indigenous languages in Costa Rica (likely Bribri). The shorthand for house is a clipped version of the Latin 'casa' (hut/cottage).
First recorded: 16th century (for house usage); 19th century (botanical records for fruit)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cas' a typo for 'casa'?
Not necessarily. While 'casa' is much more common, 'cas' is a real (though informal/archaic) shortened form, and it is also the name of a specific fruit.
What does cas fruit taste like?
It is very sour and acidic, similar to a mix between a lemon and a green guava. It is rarely eaten plain and is usually mixed with water and sugar.
Can I use 'cas' in a business meeting?
No. The shortened version of 'casa' is very informal/rural, and the fruit meaning is only relevant in specific geographic regions.